The Little Dumpling™

Monday, 6 January 2014

1. Moved House (again)2. Started a new job3. Did Christmas dinner for the first time at my house4. Won £20 at the Bingo on New Years Eve5. STOPPED SMOKING!!!!!

Yes that is correct, I am on day 6 of no smoking and it is going well :) I have an electronic cigarette with several different flavours of liquid including Raspberry, Butterscotch and Bubblegum!

I have actually applied for a Passport :O I haven't had one since 2009, and I will be going to Dublin in April which I am really rather excited about. I am also going to Edinburgh in March to see Stevie & Lee (Lee is in Grease) and then Darlington Operatic Society are doing Grease in April - I hope to be in the lighting crew for the show as I work awkward hours (6pm-2am).

Last year overall was pretty pants so I am hoping this year is going to be better!

Sunday, 8 September 2013

Stacey and I travelled up to Ullswater yesterday along with Gill from work (in her Smart ForTwo) and her friend Ruth (in her Smart Roadster) where we met up with some people from the Smartz forum for the annual Smart Car owner meet. First thing we did when we got there was put the tent up...

...and we put Stumpy IN IT! Haha! That was a really good laugh :)

Then once we had sorted all our stuff out we all went out for a lovely drive round the Lake District. 5 Smart ForTwos and a Roadster and we took the ferry across to Windermere.

Of course the weather was hideous but we had a good drive and saw about 40 Figaro's out in their annual rally. They were SO pretty! Pastel pinks, blues, greens and lemon. They all peeped their horns and have us a wave. It was lovely!

We did a quiz on the evening (after copious amounts of alcohol) and we had a really good laugh. It was nice to meet some other people with a Passion for their Smart!

I think I am going to look into starting a Darlington & District Smarties Club were we can meet up once a month and go out for a nice drive!

Thursday, 5 September 2013

So I have probably applied for about 50 jobs now and have had 1 interview for an Office Manager job - didn't get it but only because I don't have line manager experience. I think *fingers crossed* I might have a job at Student Loans - direct access from NAAFI instead of going through a temp agency. It's back shift hours 6pm-2am but for me that actually works out well :) I am really rather excited about it and hope I can turn around in a month and blog about my new job!

Smunkee production is coming on slowly, I doubt I will have the number I had planned as I only have 15 days left and only 44 Smunkees lol!

This weekend Stacey and I are going to a Smart Car rally! It sounds like it's going to be FUN! Camping at Ullswater with drunken quizzes and a Smarty Tube (drive out with only Smart cars). I will try and get some good photos!

This evening will be mostly Smunkee making with a brief stint at the pub with the Boys Brigade lot ^_^

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Well it is nearly September and I have lost my Nanny, my relationship with Ste, the house, my friendship with Ste and now my job.

I now have no contact with the Lauder's - it all went sour towards the end. Oh well, another year wasted of potentially being happy with someone I love :(

My work is going through massive restructure and I got made redundant at the end of July so I have until 31st October to find a new job. So far I have applied for about 30 positions and heard nothing back about any of them! It is very disheartening and frustrating knowing I can do these jobs but haven't been given the chance to show I can.

I moved out of my parents and into a beautiful apartment share with a Kiwi called Jon. It's a lovely apartment and Jon and I get on great :)

I have some exciting news about Smunkees - I will be holding a stall at the first ever Festival of Thrift on 21/22 September at Lingfield Point. I have Public Liability Insurance now so I should be able to do other stalls as well. I have been Smunkee making nearly every day for a couple of weeks now but still need to make about 50+ Smunkees in 31 days! Eeeeek!

Now I just continue job hunting, Smunkee making and try not to get too down in the dumps!

Friday, 14 June 2013

Well, I have moved back in with my parents - into the Dining Room/Conservatory section of the house. Quite roomy, bit stuffy and VERY bright, especially at 5am in the morning! It took a little while to reschedule my sleeping pattern as I was used to getting up at 5:30am every morning.

Unfortunately I have been poorly and the doctors are investigating Asthma :( So I now have two different coloured Inhalers and a Peak Flow Monitor!

Ste & I have been going to a couple of bike meets in the area which is nice - I get to see LOTS of pretty motorbikes and even got to sit on one! I just have to get my licence sorted now so I can get my own bike. Ste is off to Germany at the end of July for a week - I can't go :( he doesn't want to have to ride with me on the back, which makes sense. I don't think I will win the lottery and pass 3 bike tests by 26th July (not to mention get a passport) otherwise I could have gone too!

Work is as manic as ever - it often feels like we will never reach the end of the tunnel but I am told the end is near!

I had to pull out of auditions for the next Darlington Operatic Society show as I lost my voice :( I hope to continue on as a crew member though.

So for now it's all go making Smunkees for Darlington Community Carnival at the end of the month.

If the weather brightens up a bit I might even take myself off camping to Loughrigg Tarn again.

I took Ste last weekend, however he doesn't really do proper camping and I think I would prefer it on my own :)

Saturday, 27 April 2013

So we started moving out of the house yesterday and we are nearly done today, however I came out with a killer war wound...

I didn't realise how deep it was until the blood started seeping through my leggings and running down my leg :/

Luckily Ste found me a Finding Nemo plaster lol!

So now I am at Ste's babysitting his sister (M) as he is out at Sunderland Dogs and his mum (J) is out in Yarm. I wonder which one of them will get in first!

I am knackered but gotta stay up at least as long as M :/ We are currently watching Modern Family which is always a good laugh. We attempted to play Monopoly however M is VERY easily distracted and it took 20 minutes to go round the board 3 times! So we gave up trying to do two things at once lol!

So we need to finish off moving stuff then start cleaning the house. Maybe we can have a day of doing absolutely nothing on Monday before going back to work on Tuesday.

It will be completely weird being at home on my own every evening and waking up on my own, but Ste and I will still see each other however many times a week and we are going out for a meal on my birthday and camping in June :)

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Wow, where has this month gone? There are only 10 days left before Ste and I start moving out. We haven't even started thinking about packing yet :/ I have had a clothing de-clutter and donated a large bag of clothing to charity. I have LOADS of make up, toiletries and jewellery that I shall give away to Ste's sister and Jane's little girl. The less stuff I have to take to my mums the more living space I will have (as it is very limited). Ste is at work this weekend so I will probably spend the weekend having a good clear out and start packing.

I can't believe it is only 18 days until my birthday! I haven't a clue what I would like. Maybe just clothing vouchers or something. I have all the techy things that I wanted :) my iPad rocks! I also have a whole week off work the second week in May and have no idea what to do with myself! Maybe just make Smunkees or something :/ as I haven't made any in about a month.

DarlingtonOS rehearsals probably start again on 9th May so I hope to get back into that for the October show. Should keep me occupied one evening a week :)

Ste and I are going to The Yorkshire Show in July and might go camping in early June. That will be nice. It feels like I haven't been away on a relaxing weekend in forever! I think Loughrigg Tarn is a perfect little hideaway for us to get away (as friends) for a long weekend.

I am going to buy some hair dye this evening and some new clothes for work so this evening I have something to do other than sat in front of the tv all night!

Sunday, 14 April 2013

Unfortunately my Nanny passed away last month and then Ste announced he didn't want to live together anymore. So it has been a tough few weeks. Work is also manic which doesn't help matters. I am feeling a little lost at the moment. Ste and I are going to remain as "Companions" a bit like Sherlock Holmes & Joan Watson in Elementary!

So we have a couple of weeks to get the house packed up and put into storage whilst Ste and I move back to our parents houses. We still have snuggles and go out for dinner and bike rides which is fab :)

So Jane decided to drown her sorrows because of recently turning 30, so we should went to Leeds for a girly weekend! That was this weekend...11 of us in total :) I must say it was a pretty epic weekend and Ste let me loose with his credit card so I treated myself to a haircut. That always makes me feel better when I am down in the dumps.

It is Sunday afternoon. Back to work tomorrow and the house is a tip :(

There is washing to do and things to tidy.

Bugger it, Ste is watching the football and I am going to paint my nails and RELAX on the sofa ;)

Thursday, 14 February 2013

So today is the first Valentine's Ste and I have spent with each other! I really fancied receiving a single red rose but Ste refused to buy any flowers and got me this instead!

EPIC PRESSIE! :) That's a full working weeks worth of comedy right there! Might just have to watch a couple of episodes on an evening. It is a fab present but I am a little bit sad that I didn't get my rose :(

We haven't planned to go out for a meal or anything so will spend a quiet evening in tonight, as we have a busy weekend ahead of us! Hair appointments, fixing bikes, babysitting, coffee meetings, lunch dates, shopping, theatre ticket reservations and a landlord visit! Phew we will be knackered and Monday will be here before we know it!

We are off to see Moscow State Circus next Friday night at the Civic Theatre :) I am really looking forward to it! Then two weeks tomorrow we are off to London! I am even more excited for that :)

Thursday, 7 February 2013

Where on earth has the beginning of this year gone? I got Stumpy back and he is all fixed :) Ste and I have been to The New Forest last weekend, which was expensive and exhausting! 800 miles in a Smart Car in 4 days isn't advisable.

It was lovely to spend some time with my auntie and uncle and my cousins (who are now 5 and nearly 3) who I haven't seen in 2 years! It is such a beautiful place but very expensive to live there. I think Ste and I will aim to move to North Yorkshire, which is just as beautiful but less expensive :)

On the way down souf we stopped off in Winchester and spent lots of monies...

Ste's wellies are really cool, as is my new coat and handbag! By this point we had practically run out of money before we had even got to The New Forest! We indulged ALOT, on takeout and ice cream. My diet has definitely gone out the window and I haven't yet climbed back on the wagon :/

We went to West Quay on the Saturday and Ste bought me a new dress. It is really pretty ^_^ and super comfortable! I need to get some new tights to go with it though as I laddered my green ones :(

I am into the country look at the moment :) Ste now has braces to go with his tweed and cords. He even gets dressed up just fir the ASDA delivery man ;o)

Quite the farmer!

Today is the 9 Month Anniversary of Ste and I first meeting :) and I love him so much! We have lots of things planned for this year, and next! Off to London at the beginning of March, super exciting! Not sure if we are going to see a show at the theatre or not, we shall see :) it is just nice to get away from work and Darlington and spend some quality time with Farmer Ste! <3

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

I got Stumpy back from the repairers yesterday and all seemed to be ok :) I organised for the hire car to be collected today...

This morning I unlocked Stumpy just fine and went to start the engine...uh oh. Electrics gone! I rang Mum who advised to ring the repairers etc (no good at 6:35am) luckily I got the car started and made it to BP Garage on North Road :) I locked Stumpy up and bought some De-Icer (I was only gone 2 mins) and by the time I unlocked the car again Stumpy's electrics had died :( This time I couldn't get him re-started.

So at this point it was already 7am - so I had to walk to work...

1 hour and 10 minutes later I staggered into work, my knee was so painful and I was so exhausted! I was in a BAD mood :'(

So I managed to get hold of the repairers who agreed to return to pick up Stumpy, however it took several hours and lots of different phone calls to several different companies to arrange for the hire car to be extended.

What a bloody faff on?!

Luckily Stumpy was collected and hire car extended however I got a stinking migraine which I struggled with all day :(

Had to go to sleep for a while when I got home which eased the migraine. Ste made me a meat feast for dinner, NOM NOM NOM!

So fingers crossed Stumpy gets fixed tomorrow, and all will go back to normal.

Monday, 14 January 2013

So we want to Teeside Park at 6pm on Friday for Pizza Express, we were in, served and out by 6:30! Super fast service :) We then drove to Cineworld at Middlesbrough to see Les Miserables and it was absolutely fantastic! It was so heartbreaking and there were lots of tears (from the whole cinema) - I expect it will win some awards!

Saturday was spent in Pjs on the sofa in front of The Lord of the Rings Extended Trilogy. 11 hours spent doing not a lot was lovely :) Ste has joined the iPad Hobbit game (and already catching me up - humph!)

Sunday was a very productive day, we had a delightful breakfast at West Park Cafe, then spent the rest of the day sorting out the house. We got loads of stuff on eBay, changed the living room round, and re-organised the majority of the spare room!

Friday, 11 January 2013

We are going to see Les Miserables at the Cinema tonight after going to Pizza Express for dinner. I am really looking forward to it!

I have decided not to do The Sound of Music, as the dates of the show coincide with important dates for Ste and I. We have a lot of work left on the house and we need to get our home life sorted and comfortable in order to take on extra things. I vowed this year I would not take on too many things and stress myself out. This is why I am giving this show a miss. I hope we have the house sorted by May so I can do the next show!

I am currently into Sudoku, as the Metro morning newspaper that appears on my iPad provides me with a new puzzle everyday. I am not particularly fast at it but I am getting better. It is certainly working my brain anyway!

I set up Ste's Mii on the Wii Fit...

Haha it didn't have the option for sideburns only, so he has a full beard! At least I know what he will look like if he grows his beard. I'd rather he didn't :/

This weekend is HOUSE SORTING! Mum is coming to pick up the bed for Jak, I am going to have a massive throw out of crap that is not used! The Christmas decorations need to put away - yes they are still up in our living room! Also we need to design how we want the spare room (Study) to look and what furniture we may need to purchase. A trip to St. Theresa's Furniture charity shop may be a good idea as you can get some amazing solid wood from there!

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

So I cooked again last night; Pork Stir Fry, and made my own sauce using spices and soy and things ^_^ It actually tasted good!

After having our Wii stolen we got a second hand one from eBay so last night I got Ste to set it all up for me and away I went! 40 minutes later and 250 calories burnt off, I was pretty knackered but felt much better for it. So I hope to go on for about 40 minutes every day after work, and find some time on a weekend and see if I can get fit and lose some weight!

We are on a mission to get the house together as well so last night we dismantled the spare bed (which is going to my brother). We have a whole load of junk to sort through, and some bits and pieces to get on eBay!

I have my audition workshop for The Sound of a Music tomorrow evening, then meal & movie on Friday, then house sorting at the weekend. Busy busy busy!

Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Yesterday marked 8 months of Ste and I being together :) and what an eventful 8 months it has been!

We have been to London twice (third time in March), even though he works every other weekend we have spend lots of lovely weekends together, we moved into out first home, which is getting there slowly (still needs more painting).

We still speak to each other every single lunchtime, and tell each other that we love the other several times a day! I have never been happier!

So last night I went shopping and made dinner for us; Chicken in Stilton Sauce with homemade chips!

I didn't take any time off over Christmas so I am feeling a little exhausted at the moment and I am looking forward to a long weekend in Hampshire in just 24 days and then a long weekend in London in March :) We will have to book tickets for a couple of West End shows! It will be lovely to see Ste's Nanster, and just get away from work and Darlington for a bit!

I have auditions for The Sound of Music a week today and I haven't even started looking at the dialogue piece yet :/ never mind the song (which I know but am struggling with a couple of notes). Part of me is excited to do another show, although part of me wants to cuddle up at home and hibernate! I will be nervous but I hope to do my best and if I get a part Fantastic! If not then I will probably help out making costumes or backstage.

Monday, 7 January 2013

I have had a Fab weekend with Ste, and we get to do it all over again next weekend (then he has to work two weekends on the trot!) I am absolutely delighted with my iPad mini, got some lovely new clothes and today I am happy!

I have managed to hook up my "Personal Hotspot" on my iPhone in order to steal the 3G to use on my iPad :) how clever?!

Sunday, 6 January 2013

I ordered my iPad Mini from Apple on New Years Day but couldn't wait until the 23rd January for it to arrive so cancelled my order and went and bought one from the Metro Centre today! And it is FANTASTIC! I love it!

Friday, 4 January 2013

So Ste has the weekend off work and it's our 8 Month Anniversary on Monday. Yesterday Ste informed me that we were going out for a Meal with some of his friends tonight. Fab! :)

Later on he came back and said that the invite was for Ste only. Rude. I wasn't a happy bunny :(

On top of this Ste's manager decided he was going to have today off work meaning I would have to get up extra early, take Ste to work for 6:30am, then get myself to work by 7am then pick him up on the way home. There's all my petrol gone!

Bloody men!! Why can't they be organised and considerate of others!Is it even possible? Is it just me or do they all suck at this?

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

After discussing gyms and the whole aspect of getting fitter for New Year it made sense to get out my Wii Fit and give that a go first before paying out for the gym! So I got home after work on Monday and went to dig out my Wii. How strange, the Wii isn't in the bag of Wii Stuff, neither are the leads or controllers, but the games are still there :/

We turned the house upside down (having very little storage space in the house for the Wii to be in) only to realise that there was just one explanation. The Plasterers had stolen it in the half an hour Ste had popped out to pick up paint.

:(

I didn't have a very good New Year!

Yesterday I lay in the sofa in my onesie watching TV, eating and playing World of Warcraft. That's it. That didn't even make me happy.

So I looked at my finances, made sure I had enough saved up then ordered my iPad Mini :) it will have "Spud" engraved on the back and estimated delivery is 23rd January. Just 21 sleeps!

Friday, 28 December 2012

Well Christmas is over and now it's the countdown to New Year! Where has this year gone?

We plan to visit my family down souf in February, another trip to London to see a show (or two) in March, *fingers crossed* I get a part in The Sound of Music with Darlington Operatic Society (so that will be April gone lol!) Ste and I will have been together 1 year in May, maybe a holiday abroad? (I need to get a Passport first!)

Hopefully the house will be in order by February, then it will feel more like a home and less like a building site. The only room left that needs work is the kitchen, but to be honest it needs ripping out and a new one putting in! Not something we have the money for so maybe the Landlords will realise this needs doing and stump up the money :)

We have been waiting for a new back door since August, so the Landlord gave me the telephone number of the gentleman who was supposed to be fitting said door. I have been texting him every hour with no response! So I shall continue to text him until he replies.

I have found out from my dad that Stumpy is not going to be written off! Woohoo! He is going to be repaired and the garage is just waiting for parts. It has been absolute luxury driving the brand spanking new Vauxhall Corsa hire car they gave me but I am keen to get Stumpy back! It is so tense driving a brand new car that isn't yours - especially if anything happens to it - I am liable. I am hoping that it won't be too much longer now.

Thursday, 27 December 2012

So work has been challenging and decorating the house has been exhausting on top of making everyone's Christmas Smunkee orders - so all in all by the 12th December I was pretty knackered. Luckily I had booked the day off work so I could go to a Christmas Craft Fair with Kelly in Northallerton to sell SMUNKEES!

The day was a disaster :( I sold nothing! So we set off home around 3:45pm.

DISASTER!

Stumpy got a puncture about half way home. For most people this wouldn't be that much of a problem but for us, it was; Stumpy is a Smart car. He only has two seats and no room for a Spare tyre. So we got on the phone to the AA who dispatched a Patrol vehicle to take us to get a new tyre (luckily I had a credit card on me - as it was December and money was tight).

I put the Hazard Warning lights on (as we were on a single carriage way) and I managed to get a very reluctant Kelly to get out the car and stand on the grass verge in -degree weather. It was very cold. Many other drivers managed to see us and get round us just fine except for one...

At 4:35pm a car piled straight into the back of Stumpy pushing him onto the grass verge where we were stood. Luckily I stepped back out of the way but Kelly stepped sideways and was hit by my car :(

WHAT A DAY?!

Long story short - Stumpy was broken, Kelly has a fractured ankle, I had no car for a week (luckily the 3rd Party accepted liability and provided me a hire car). On the plus side: we are both alive. It could have gone very differently if we hadn't got out the car.

Moving on...

Christmas has been and gone for me with just two days off work :( the house is starting to get there slowly but still feels like we are living in a building site. We finally got the dining room plastered and have got the feature wallpaper up and started painting.

We need a set of ladders before we can do anything with the section of wall above the picture rail. We are both just too short lol! *Fingers crossed* we can borrow some from Ste's Mum soon.

We have decided to leave the Christmas tree up in the living room as we currently have no where to put it and it hasn't felt very Christmassy for me.

I just don't know where this month has gone! It is 27th December and I am at work :(

I need to find a dry cleaner to sort out Ste's Tweed Jacket which is covered in purple sick - god knows what he was drinking at his Christmas party!

The landlords are popping round this evening to take a look at the house. It is currently looking like a bomb has hit it so we shall see what they say!

I need to get some White Gloss paint for all the wood in the house as I managed to pick up a gloss that is exactly the same colour as the walls. Not a good a look.

*Fingers crossed* the start of 2013 will be a little less bumpy and we might get the house looking GREAT!

Thursday, 4 October 2012

Where did the year go?! Smunkee.Biz has been going for nearly a year, I did Titanic the Musical with DOS, turned 23, found my Ste, changed jobs, we moved in together, another job change due in the next month....

BLIMEY!! Busy busy year!

We are getting Sky installed on Sunday :) I am so excited!

Last (long) weekend was very productive! We got a beautiful Welsh Dresser for the dining room..

A brown leather 3 seater sofa and matching chair from a second hand shop :)

I have another Smunkee Craft Fayre on Saturday which I am really looking forward to. I have made lots of Smunchkins for the occasion as they are the most popular! I will get photos on the day..

Monday, 30 July 2012

So yesterday I took part in "It's a Knockout" in the DOS girls team. It involved throwing myself on an off of soggy giant inflatables. It was FANTASTIC! I had a great time and really enjoyed myself. When I got home I was even feeling energetic enough to do Just Dance on the Wii with Maisie...

OMG the PAIN today is unbearable! There is a strong possibility I have bruised my ribs and hip! It hurts to sit, to stand, to walk.. I am pretty buggered no matter what I do :/

I reckon it's gonna be a few days before I feel human again! Just doping myself up on painkillers and anti inflammatory for now!

I think training needs to be done if I (stupidly) decide to take part next year! It's all for charity though :)

Oh it was GOOD! I was very impressed how well she did for a 9 year old!

I may have gone over a little food wise last night but I am back on track for the weekend and I have been roped into Darlington OS "It's A Knockout" on Sunday. Bouncy castles, water, pain! I think it will be good for burning off calories but I suspect I will be struggling to walk on Monday!

Hopefully my new landlord will be around this weekend as well so we can pop over to the house and get pictures and measurements :) and maybe get our table and chairs over there :)

I have some Smunkees to get done, monies to pay in, clothes to pack for Dogsitting at Ste's next week - its going to be a LONG and BUSY weekend! I CAN'T WAIT :)

Monday, 23 July 2012

Wohooooo! We now have our dining room table which is EVEN better than we expected :) we were also super lucky an managed to get 4 chairs made up to match! I should be able to pick them up on Friday (Sam our new landlord is borrowing a van to help move a few bits at the weekend).

Work is actually going well today :) I am staying at Ste's house for the most of this week so we have an extra 10cm to sleep in (my bed appears to be a super small single :/)

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

We are going to pick up a dining room table we purchased off eBay this weekend. We don't however have any chairs to go with it :-/ we hope the place were we got the table might have some chairs we can get :)

Whilst eating dinner (Sausages) last night I got bitten 3 TIMES on my leg. Oh how it itches today :( it is so hard not to scratch!

Only 2 hours left of work then I am going to walk to Stevie Babes house and snuggle up and watch a film :)

I love him so much <3 I hope these 37 days go quickly! :o)

Oh guess what?!

THE SUN IS SHINING!!!!! Wohoooo! *fingers crossed* it stays around for a little while. I feel much happier when the sun is out :o)

Saturday, 7 July 2012

I rolled out of the wrong side of bed at 4am this morning. Ste got ready immediately while I wandered around in a foul mood because the clothes I planned to wear today were still damp on the airer. Urgh.

The taxi arrived at 4:30am (I was still butt naked doing my hair) and so I got all stressed out rushing around. 4:37am - READY!

Arrived at Darlington Train Station and we sat down to wait. Only when the screen informed us that our train had arrived (even though we couldn't see one) did we realise we were sat at the wrong platform! PANIC!

Luckily we didn't miss the train.

So it's 7:04am we are still on the train, with foul coffee. Mood = better.

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Ok so it's Wednesday. I would be much happier of it was Friday afternoon...but got a couple of days to go yet!

Going to the cinema this evening with Mony, we will pick what we want to watch when we get there! Ooh get me not planning ahead! That's a rare occurrence!

I won't see the bf tonight :( that will be the first night apart in weeks! That makes me sad! I will see him tomorrow after work though so will just have to look forward to that! I also get the spend the whole weekend with him - so I will be a happy bunny :)

The weather is lovely (Hayfever hit me like a bus this morning though) I just hope the sun lasts a little longer than a few days.

Monday, 18 June 2012

So since April I have been in Titanic the Musical at Darlington Civic Theatre, I have had more Smunkee orders, fell in love, changed jobs, lost over a stone, it's been the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Torch came through Darlington yesterday!

I have decided not to perform in Footloose the Musical this year but am considering doing the backstage stuff :)

I fell in love with Stephen Lauder. He is my whole life now. We have been together 6 weeks today but it feels like 6 years (in a good way).

My employers made my job redundant and moved me to another department; Commercial Data. I'm not sure if I am going to enjoy it :/ all I want to do at the moment is spend all my time with Ste <3

We had planned to spend the entire weekend together, however it was sprung on him that he had to work all day Saturday and half day yesterday. I wasn't a happy bunny :(

Ste and I had a lovely time together yesterday though :) we went to Middlesbrough to watch Men In Black 3 in 3D. It was hilarious as I had to wear 3D glasses over my own new (Gok Wan) glasses! We had totally misjudged the movie times and had to leave early as not to miss the last train home. I actually had to RUN from the cinema to the station :O

What else? Oooh I started a new diet 5 weeks ago called The Celebrity Slim Shake Diet. So far I have lost 21lbs in 4 weeks! Next weigh in is on Wednesday (although I did have a night off last night as we went to Pizza Hut. Nom Nom Nom.)

Friday, 6 April 2012

I can't believe that it's April already! How fast this year is zooming past. Work is as usual, Smunkee orders are still coming in :) and rehearsals are regular. It is less than 3 weeks until the show. I am super excited now - fingers crossed it goes well!

Having sold my car a couple of months ago getting the bus isn't so bad - I can get around ok and I quite like people watching :) I am looking at getting my Manual licence so I can look for cheaper cars with cheaper insurance.

I am currently debating whether or not to get a Kindle? It would be much lighter to carry around than a book but would it just cost me more to buy e-books? Some investigating is needed I think!

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

So it is only 22 days until Titanic's opening night! Eeek! I am very excited and definitely looking forward to it! It will be a tough 3 weeks of rehearsals though! I still have costumes bits to find and brown dye for my 3rd class passenger costume! We are having headshots done tonight for the programme :) so I will have to make sure I look my best :)

On the Smunkee front I am still doing well getting orders in so that's great! I have made 124 Smunkees so far! I have to pop to the bank at lunchtime to pay in some cheques - who pays with cheques these days?! Honestly!

Friday, 30 March 2012

So this week the boss has been off on holiday and we had a relatively busy week until today which was slow.

We had our Darlington Operatic Society AGM last night. What I thought would be an hour and half meeting turned into 3 hours! I got in just after 11pm and had a Smunkee to make and Personalise by today. Before I knew it it was 2:20am and I had to be up for work at 6:15am. Urgh. I got the bus into town and stopped at Costa to get a Large coffee to keep me going!

I soldiered on through today and after work my Roomie and I went to Matalan to find me an outfit for tomorrow night. We are having a girls only night out in Newcastle. I have never been on a night out there so should be an interesting experience. I got a fab outfit and some wegde espidrils! Roll on Saturday night!

So I am currently at my parents having just cooked burger and chips for father and I. No Smunkee making tonight. I need a break.

Saturday, 24 March 2012

Wake up time at 10:00, get dressed (put Titanic hoodie on) and get butt to town ready for leaflet handing out! There was about 10 off us there, we had another photo taken that will be going in Monday's Northern Echo :) then we handed out 250 leaflets (which was easier said than done) then coffee at Starbucks then a stroll in the sun. It was a lovely afternoon.

I got the bus to my parents house, picked up some money from my brother and then got the next bus home, the weather today was fantastic! It almost felt like summer :)

I went to Iceland on the way home, stocked up on frozen food then went to Morrisons to get my fridge food!

Broke now.

Bring on payday!! Lots of excitement is planned for next weekend with a birthday night out in Newcastle with some of the girls from work/operatic society :)

Friday, 23 March 2012

So I got up at 10:30 when my alarm clock rudely woke me. I dragged myself out of bed and made a list of things to do today. I had a go at tidying my room, went into town to see the craft fair only to realise it was last week :( so I wandered around town for an hour or two, got some lunch then went home to make Smunkees! I watched several dance films, a sad film and then a funny film.

Tired is an understatement! I am officially exhausted! With a full time job plus part time Smunkee making and part time Operatics there just isn't enough hours in the day!

I started to get a sniffle on Sunday which I put down to the council cutting the grass which brought on my hayfever. However by Monday morning it was full on man flu! It just hit me from nowhere! I went through a box of tissues, a whole packet of flu tablets and by 2pm on Monday I just looked like shit. My boss sent me home. I went to bed for a couple of hours before rehearsals which were tiring then went straight to bed about 10pm.

I emerged from my pit just short of 2pm on Tuesday! I decided some anti-histamines were required so managed to drag myself to Boots. About an hour later I was starting to feel some improvement but the worst was still to come. By 7pm my voice was starting to give up on me and I could not sing a note :( I still went to rehearsals and did my best.

I went to work on Wednesday as my boss was off. I didn't feel particularly recovered but I managed until 4:15 when I was let off early. I dragged myself to rehearsals and couldn't wait to climb into bed that night.

I had a decent nights sleep on Wednesday and woke up feeling somewhat better about 10:20 this morning. I definitely had a productive day! I registered at a new doctors surgery, picked up some Smunkee.Biz stuff from town, then got the bus to my parents house to see if the dog was still alive (my parents are away on holiday and they entrusted my 17 year old brother to look after the house and dog).

The house was a sight! The dog was alive, just. I did some Smunkee.Bizzing before getting the bus home, putting my iPod on eBay then going to rehearsals. I am so glad we have all weekend off! We are handing out Titanic leaflets in town for an hour on Saturday but apart from that freedom all weekend! *Fingers Crossed* the weather stays lovely!

Wednesday, 7 March 2012

Woohoo it is Wednesday and the end of the week for me! I have two days holidays booked for Smunkee making as I have a Church Fair stall to fill up ready to sell on Saturday 17th March. It is quite exciting!

I have sold 3 Smunkees this week so far which is great :)

Rehearsals for Titanic were good last night, I did however get a bit soggy walking home in the rain. I have found a perfect 3rd class passenger costume on eBay for £17.50 incl. P+P which is good, and I can get £10.00 back in expenses from the society.

Work has been much slower today than it was Monday and Tuesday but only 2 hours and 45 mins to go!

Monday, 5 March 2012

Well after last weeks disaster with the buses *fingers crossed* this week runs a little smoother. I have purchased my 4 weekly ticket on my iPhone saving me £11.60 which is great!

I am lucky to have only 3 days at work this week meaning I can make Smunkees on Thursday and Friday! I need to get a whole batch made up for the Williw Road Community Centre Spring Fair on Saturday 17th March. Hopefully I can sell some Smunkees to all those forgetful people in time for Mother's Day!

I have 4 rehearsals for Titanic this week and I now have my high heeled boots which I need to wear in. I can see me being crippled for the rest of the weekend!

Thursday, 1 March 2012

I needed to pop into town at lunchtime to pick up some milk for work, so I hopped on the bus which actually turned up! I got what I needed then went to stand at the correct bus stand for the 12:33 bus. I stood there for 20 mins...

Eventually the no.1 arrived 10 mins late, but he was going to drive straight past until I jumped in front of him. I was fuming! I asked him why he keeps just driving past? He said he doesn't stop at this stand and wasn't going to my work, but Crook. I stormed off the bus and jumped on the no.11 which got me back to work, although a little late.

I got back to work, adamant that I was right and there definitely should be a bus to pick me up and take me to work at 12:33 every day. I rang Arriva and made another complaint. All I got was, we will get back to you within 10 working days. So I asked to speak to the supervisor, and managed to convince them to ask the Darlington depot whether I am right or not?! They rang me back within 10 mins to inform me I was right and they would be investigating why the bus hasn't turned up 2 days on the trot! Well fingers crossed it gets sorted out so I can smoothly get to and from work whenever!

I am looking forward to rehearsals this evening and hope to be in a better mood!

I have had enough already and it's only 9.11am. So my housemate woke me up at 4.15am and I just couldn't get back to sleep after that, so I am tired for starters. The she went to work without me and didn't even tell me she was going. Then another bus drove straight past me, even though I was hanging off the kirb with my hand out!

I feel like I need a good cry.

So I have sent another complaint to Arriva; thats 3 in 3 days! My first week of Bus Travel couldn't have gone much worse.

I am also feeling a little sorry for myself and I am all doped up on beechums and strepsils!

A good start to a Thurdsay I would say. Not.

I have Titanic Rehearsals this evening and I am tired, in a foul mood and will have to walk there. :( hopefully I might be feeling better later!

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

I feel rubbish today! Out come the Beechums :( I have had a whole packet of Strepsils and still have a sore throat. Hopefully I might feel a bit better for rehearsals tomorrow night!

I am not having much luck with Arriva buses at the moment! Not only did one not turn up yesterday lunchtime, today the same bus just drove straight past me and about 20 other people! Not a happy bunny today! I rang Arriva and made another complaint! They say they will investigate and get back to me within 10 working days. I won't hold my breathe.

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Ok so I have been neglecting my blog ALL this year! I shall have to get my arse in gear!

So on the Smunkee.Biz front I have just finished Smunkee #100! Which is very exciting. I have a steady supply of orders which is great, so I shall plod along as I am for now. Roll on Smunkee #250, #500 and #1000!

So the Operatic Society is fabulous! I love it and cannot imagine myself not being in it. I auditioned for Titanic and got a part of a Stewardess, in nearly every scene, meaning I need to be at nearly every rehearsal! So I am an extremely busy bee at the moment but I am super happy :)

I have just sold my car and have opted to 'Go Green' and get buses everywhere, up until today it was going quite smoothly (apart from the fact you cannot get a bus from Hummersknott on a Sunday). So I needed to pop into town to pick up a few bits for Smunkees, and the bus timetables allows for this in an hour :) however...I stood at bus stop from 12:06 until 12:30 waiting for the 12:16 bus which never arrived.

I was thoroughly peed off and wrote a snotty email to Arriva to complain. It doesn't look good for them when they advertise for car drivers to 'ditch the car and hop on a bus' especially when the bloody bus doesn't arrive!

Rant over.

I am going to do some work, get 2 buses home (if they arrive) then off to play an hour of Football with the lads. I imagine I will be stood in goal doing bugger all for the majority of the game.

I am also planning to decorate my room pink and green and set up a little craft area in my bedroom!

So for now I am at Harrowgate Hill Club, I will be playing bingo and having a sing and dance to the band. No alcohol tonight though. I am saving myself for the all day drinking sesh at the Legion in Aycliffe tomorrow!

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

So I have been neglecting my blog as I have had SO MUCH going on! The Smunkee Business is going well - I still have orders which is great! Mum and Dad bought me a sewing machine and a Smunkee Storing Station for Christmas which is just FAB! I love it to bits! Very good space saver and saves me from hauling around bags and bags of stuffing and socks etc.

Christmas eve and day were spent with my parents and brother and that was great! We had a lovely time, lovely food and great banter. Christmas day evening I went to Northgate Club with Craig and his family to play bingo - I didn't win :( but we had a good laugh. Boxing day I had a MacDonalds breakfast before picking up Shelana and the kids to go to her mums for a party! It was only in Norton (about 16 miles away) so only took 20 mins to get there with my SatNav on my iPad. We had a lovely time and played games, ate food, laughed at a very drunk Richie then set off at 7.30pm to return home. I decided it was an easy route and I should be able to do it without the use of my SatNav. I cannot get across just how wrong I was. We were 10 miles from Thirsk before we realised we were lost and before long a 32 mile round trip that should have taken 40 mins ended up being an 88 mile round trip taking 2 hours!!! *EPIC FAIL* We got home around 9pm - got MacDonalds for tea then got drunk and played a board game!

Yesterday I left Shelana's about 10am and went into town to go sock shopping! Got LOADS off socks to make Funkee Smunkees! Arrived at my parents house about 1pm and sat and made a Smunkee.

8pm = Rangers (Proper) Night out! We went to Pizza Hut for tea - then Tanners for drinks. There was a lot of alcohol - and I didn't climb into bed until 2.15am!

So here I am (after 4 hours sleep) at work - realising just how much alcohol and fast food I have consumed over the Christmas period! I still have New Year to go yet!!!

Thursday, 8 December 2011

I am still super excited about Smunkee.Biz! I am always making them which means a steady supply of orders :) I have a super challenge to make 6 over the weekend - while Dad and I start sorting out my website :D

I have been surfing the sock monkey websites around and to be quite honest I think my Smunkees are easily as good as the ones being sold for 30 dollars or more!!

So I dropped mum off home after work yesterday and Kel and I went to Morrisons to get some tea and then BnM to see if I could find some socks for Smunkees - unsuccessfully!

We got home - and after tea I started to make one of the two Smunkees I needed to get done by today! It was 7pm when I started....

...I finished at 2.10am this morning :(

I have no idea why it took me 7 hours to make two!! I think I must have been watching too much television!

I am feeling a bit groggy today after only 4 hours sleep :/ and I am sure by about 3pm I will be knackered! On top of that I am out at Titanic Rehearsals till 9.30pm then probs the pub with the lads after that!

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

So I got to my audition last night nice and early - we watched a scene from a previous show DOS have done before - Beauty and the Beast!

We then did some movement with Jo the choreographer - it was simple, I was fine :) My knee even held out!

Then we had to pick a piece of paper to find out what order we were going to do our individual auditions in... I got number 6 out of 7!

Everyone who went before me were all nervous, but did great and sounded great! They were asked to sing a few notes from the piano aswell as their song.
Then it was my turn. I decided to do my dialogue first, which went ok. I wasn't too concerned about that. It was my song I was anxious about.

So I sang. I didn't need to restart. I finished.

They asked my age then said I could go. I didn't have to do any extra notes :/

At this point I was thinking, I either nailed it or they didn't want to hear anymore...

I went home - still feeling anxious! Made some tea, put my pyjamas on and then tempting fate; went onto the DOS website to look at Character Lists for Titanic.

At 9.43pm Julian rang me and asked if I was sat down? I said yes. He said "your in!"

WOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I was so chuffed!!!

So now I am adamant I will audition for a character in Titanic rather than just chorus! Why work SO hard to get into the society just to sing in chorus?! If I get a part that GREAT if not, chorus will be just as great for my first show in 7 years!

-------------------

Smunkee Biz - I have 9 orders to make in the next week! wohoooo!! It is starting to really take off! :D
--
www.smunkee.biz

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

So tonight is audition night! It has come around so fast! I eventually picked a dialogue to use - from South Pacific. Luckily mum had it on DVD so I can watch the scene and see exactly what I am supposed to do :D

I think my song is as good as it is going to get!

I have 10 hours until my audition but I am a little anxious and a lot excited now!

Of course I have been making more Smunkees - little baby ones made out of baby socks :) and they are SO cute!

I think if I get into the society and with all my Smunkees this could actually be a good end to a rollercoaster of a year!

And in 2012 I hope to keep the Smunkee business running and *fingers crossed* I might get to be in Titanic! --www.smunkee.biz

Friday, 2 December 2011

Last night was rehearsals for Titanic which I really enjoyed and went really well. After that they wanted all new members to stay behind to go over what would happen with our audition on Tuesday. We all had a go at our song with the Pianist...

My attempt was pretty awful :( I got so nervous and kept taking short intakes of breath in the wrong places! I was so nervous and I don't know why! I have no control over it! I think a little dutch courage may be needed come Tuesday!!

I am going to go over it all weekend with my mum - and attempt to learn one of the dialogues and have everything crossed that I will do great on the night! I will have to perform in front of a panel of 13 people!! Unlucky for some! I am determined to get in! I haven't been so excited about anything in a long time!

Thursday, 1 December 2011

I got up this morning and had a shower before returning to my bedroom, turning on my iPod dock as usual and playing "Papa Can Your Hear Me?" so I could practice it for my rehearsal tonigh and audition on Tuesday. I let the Barbra Streisand Album play on and I discovered a song that I should have picked as my audition song as I can sing it FAR better than my current choice.

I was in two minds! It's only 5 days until my audition and it wouldn't be wise to change my song now! But I am so much better at this one! So I sang it a few times over and decided. I am changing my song to "Memory" from Cats!

I immediately emailed the Pianist who would be accompanying me at my audition to see if she already had the sheet music - which she did! Wohoooo! Then I spent all day at work quietly singing to myself!

It is now 14:20 and I am far too excited to be at work! I want to be in my room SINGING!

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

So I am getting a small steady request for Smunkees! My main aim is to get the name out there and friends on facebook are helping me out by sharing Smunkees with their friends :D

I am managing to keep to creating one Smunkee a night (except Thursdays - as I have Titanic Rehearsals) and I really need to knuckle down and perfect my audition song and pick a dialogue to memorise!! Eeekkk!! Tuesday 6th Dec is getting closer and I am not ready for my audition!! I HAVE to spend this weekend going over and over it! It was payday today so the first thing I purchased for Titanic - The Musical on iTunes! :D

The works Xmas Party is drawing closer too!! I am gonna hit the diet for the next two weeks and hope I lose just enough weight to fit perfectly into my bright pink dress! Ahhhhh I need to find some shoes!!! I am thinking Silver....

Monday, 28 November 2011

I have been a busy little bee and have been churning out my sock monkeys (now branded Smunkees) 1 a day :) and my dad has helped me set up a website domain: www.smunkee.biz

I hope to work on the website over the next couple of months so for now I am using Facebook to get the word out! Luckily my super clever dad has set up the website address to direct to my Facebook page :)

Sunday, 20 November 2011

So on Monday 7th Nov I arrived at Darlington train station where my mum picked me up! I went home, got a shower and drove over to the bus station! I stood in the freezing cold for nearly an hour to find out Tom had been taken into hospital and wasn't coming :(

So I decided I would still have my week off work and chill out! I went over to Aycliffe to visit some friends and my godsons. I stayed over there Monday and Tuesday night as it was Cameron's 4th birthday on the Wednesday!

I then went home later that afternoon and vegged out in my onesie in bed and watched True Blood Season 3! I had no intentions of getting dressed or going anywhere so watched True Blood Season 4 on Thursday and treated myself to a Dominoes Pizza! That wasn't a good idea....

I got FOOD POISONING! :( and I was very sick for two days! On the Saturday I managed to pull myself together and get dressed with the plan of going to my parents. I got to my car to find that it had had a wee and leaked out all its coolant! All I needed! So on the phone to father to help me! I took Sm!nty to my parents where they had a look at it! I stayed there overnight as dad needed to fix the water pump which wouldn't happen until Monday!

We had a lazy-ish day on Sunday (Mum and Inwent food shopping) then we chilled! Mum took me home in time for Rangers - where I made Sock Monkeys then went home to bed! What a week off eh?!

I was actually glad to be back at work on Monday! Mum picked Kelly and I up and took us to work while dad fixed my car. Luckily he was all fixed when we got home and I picked him up and took him home! I spent the evening making Sock Monkeys ready for the Boys Brigade coffee evening on Thursday!

After work on Tuesday I went to my last ever Rainbows where I got some lovely flowers and a photo frame to thank me for all my hard work :D it was a little but sad but I am sure I will go back at some point! Just need some me time for a while!

By Thursday I had enough sock monkeys to take to the coffee evening where I sold 3 and took 3 orders :D super chuffed!

Friday night was spent chilling out/attempting to learn my lines for the Church Murder Mystery! As was Saturday now I think about it! The murder mystery on Saturday night was fab - I really enjoyed it! And it spurred me to find out more about Amateur Dramatics in Darlington.....

Role on today (Sunday) and I received an email back from Darlington Operatic Society inviting me to audition! Rehearsals have already started for Titanic but I am welcome to go along and join in! It is on a Thursday night though which means practically giving up Boys Brigade as well! But I am going to have fun doing something I really enjoy for a change! Now to find me an audition song...

Monday, 7 November 2011

So it is Monday already! I soon worked out that many of my iPad apps don't work in Scotland! So I just sat and watched the world go by...

I got into Aberdeen at 1.05pm on Saturday and Stuart and his friend Stuart met me at the station! We went to hobbycraft in search of facepaints for Stuart's costume for his "School Disco" themed party/night out! We then went to Chiquitos for lunch (a first for me - I had to request my meal --> a breast of southern fried chicken and chips as everything on the menu was a bit foreign to me! Then Stuart's friend Cat turned up and then Stuart's flatmate Ben turned up to pick us up and take us to Macro to buy some bits and pieces for the party. Stuart's friend Stuart went home and the rest of us went straight to Macro where between the four of us we spent nearly £200 on alcohol, sweets and party decorations! =O

After much faffing about trying to get last minute costume bits we arrived at Stuart's flat around 5pm and spent 2 hours tidying and setting up for the party! We got ready after that and guests started arriving from 8pm!

The night was EPIC! About 20 of us spent 3 hours in the flat playing drinking games (at which point I had already demolished a bottle of Raspberry Sourz and 4 bottles of Smirnoff Ice!) We then preceded to find a bus stop to go into Aberdeen town centre...

Get this ---> Buses in Aberdeen do NOT carry change?! WTF? So after faffing on and off a bus we succeeded in hailing a taxi, and finally arrived at a bar called Cheers! It took me a good hour before I clicked that we were in a gay bar lmao! It was a fab night and everyone got very drunk!

By 2.30am I had had enough and decided to make my own way back to Stuart's which involved finding someone who knew Bens number so I could text him to find out his address...I had been up for 22 hours at this point and then had to stand in a taxi queue for nearly an hour, finally crawling in at 3.30am! It took me a good couple of hours to get to sleep as it was quite chilly.....and I finally nodded off around 6am.

I didn't stir until 2pm on Sunday when Cat arrived to collect some of her stuff, then Ben and I had chocolate cake, Ben went back to bed, Stuart got up, we watched several episodes of Torchwood, got some food then before we knew it it was 6.45pm and Ben emerged from his room ready for rehearsals for a show they are both in. I watched patiently for 2 and a half hours - I enjoyed it! Brings back memories of when we were at school rehearsing for plays and pantos! We got food and went home - it was 11.45pm when we got in. We didn't stay up too long, I was asleep by 1am.

And so it is Monday, I have been up since 6.30am and now I am sat on the train to go home to Darlington. I am due to arrive at 12.55pm, hopefully Mum can pick me up from the station, I will go home, get a shower, then pick up Tom from the bus station around 2.45pm! Wohooooooo! =D

Saturday, 5 November 2011

So the gentleman on the train next to me didn't stay long, however he was replaced by a lady and two kids....noisy, messy kids that kick you in the leg and stare at you! Urgh. They are getting off in Edinburgh so I have some time to endure yet...

I have watched X-Men:First Class on my iPad and I still have 3 hours to go! I think a spot of BBCIPLAYER is in need!

I went to bed at 1am this morning after a night out at the local club, drinking, dancing and playing bingo! After 5 hours sleep I got up, had a shower and got a taxi to the train station! I have just jumped on the train and found my seat....on a table (wohoooo) but next to some guy who insists on spreading out :( let's hope he isn't sitting there for the entire journey!

I have downloaded a couple of films to watch and got my wifi all sorted for the train, so hopefully the next 5 hours won't be so boring! I love train journeys anyway! It's amazing what you can learn from just watching other people!

Sunday, 30 October 2011

So the clocks went back an hour last night and even with an extra hour in bed I don't feel particularly refreshed! It's only 8.51pm and I am knackered! I am not looking forward to going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark =(

So my new car (well new to me) a Rover 216 in cream...I call him SM!NTY was serviced and given a good clean today thanks to my mum and dad =D He is still going to need a little bit of T-Cut to clean up some of the marks but he is looking good! I am really pleased with him!

Now I am currently sat watching X-Men in a sulk waiting to hear from a boy :( I might raid the cupboards for some chocolate too!

Oh well a good nights sleep should get me refreshed for the long week ahead! PAYDAY tomorrow! Woohoo!

Saturday, 29 October 2011

So the clocks go back tonight and it is only 56 sleeps until CHRISTMAS! This year will be all about spending quality time with family and friends :D

I have a halloween party to go to on Monday (which I think will be the first halloween party I have ever been to!) I am going as Bride of Chucky! Should be a good laugh~!! Pictures to follow possibly....

Then next weekend I am off to ABERDEEN to see my friend Stuey to celebrate his birthday! I believe that will be a wild weekend :P The dress up theme is School Disco - should be interesting! I might go as a geek!

As soon as I get back from Aberdeen on Monday I have about an hour or so to get myself unpacked before picking up another friend from the bus station! Then a week of work! wohooo! A fun packed week me thinks!